LUKE Chambers’ expected move to the Blues is in danger of dramatically collapsing after the defender last night asked for more time to consider his options.

The former Nottingham Forest skipper yesterday completed his medical at Ipswich but his free transfer move remains up in the air, the Star understands.

While he could still sign for Town, the 26-year-old is weighing up his options – suggesting that a late rival bid, likely to be from Leeds United, might have turned his head.

Chambers could still sign for Ipswich in the next few days but his indecision will give manager Paul Jewell and Town fans an anxious wait on the eve of the official start to pre-season training tomorrow.

It had seemed like the signing of Chambers – identified as a key acquisition by Jewell this summer – was becoming a formality after he arrived in the town yesterday and completed his medical.

We understand he was left hugely impressed with his potential new surroundings, but it was not enough to convince him to make a decision there and then.

The apparent U-turn was all the more surprising as sources close to Forest thought the deal to Ipswich was cut and dried.

Reports over the weekend suggested Leeds boss Neil Warnock was monitoring the situation and it now seems likely he has come in with a counter-offer having already signed fellow centre-back Jason Pearce from Portsmouth.

Jewell had little choice but to agree to Chambers’ request for more time amid fears that the Blues could miss out on yet another top target.

Last month, Joel Ward choose Crystal Palace over a move to Suffolk before goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak, top of Jewell’s most wanted list, opted for a move to Gus Poyet’s Brighton.